RISING karate stars from Warrington became national champions on Sunday as a feast of medals was won by two of the town's top clubs.

It just gets better and better for Cheshire Martial Arts' Ross Lawton, the Warrington under 16 Sports Personality of 1998.

At the English Karate Governing Body's National Championships at the NEC, Birmingham, the Orford ace lifted gold in his first attempt at the cadet 16-18 years KATA.

This follows on from the gold he took at the junior national championships last year.

Ross, aged 16, also took a bronze in the 16-18 years fighting section, known as Kumite.

In a double success for Cheshire Martial Arts, Jodie Chisnall became national champion in the girls' 16-18 years Kata, which is the pattern art.

There was further joy for the club as instructor Paul Graham won a silver medal in the team Kata and Helen Robinson secured bronzes in the women's under 21 Kumite and open Kumite.

The successes were not just restricted to Cheshire Martial Arts as silver and bronze medal wins came from members of the Culcheth and Newton Karate Clubs, run by Steve Scott.

It was an outstanding day for Steve Nelson, who, along with Scott picked up second spot in the team Kata, but also took silver in the u21s Kumite and bronze in the open fighting section.

After Nelson's great display he was asked to attend trials for the World Junior Championships.

His sister Sarah achieved a bronze medal in the 16-18 years Kata at Birmingham while another clubmate Anthony Crane took bronze in the 16-18 years Kumite.

These latest successes for Culcheth and Newton follow on from Becky Hollis' and Becky Hylands' successes in the junior nationals.

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